In a radio tour in the hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, commissioner Stern appeared on several programs and put this saga out of its misery. His strongest comments came on ESPN Radio in New York, where Stern said, “The teams are aware that the collective bargaining agreement doesn’t authorize trades involving coaches’ contracts.”

The only incentives other than player contracts that are permitted in NBA trades, Stern said, are draft picks and cash.

“The teams know that,” Stern said. “It has been confirmed to them. … It can’t be gotten around by breaking it up into two transactions.”

Stern said — and a person familiar with the communication between the league and the teams confirmed — that there is no separating the two deals at this point because it is obvious all the pieces are part of the same negotiation.

“If you think those, at this point — having been all over the media for the last week — are separate transactions … I have a bridge that I would very much enjoy selling to you,” Stern said.

Stern’s words make it clear that it’s time to throw dirt on this deal and bury it under fantasy basketball trade scenarios that will never see the light of day.

And the league’s concerns are valid. Since when can coaches, whose salaries and true value cannot be adequately gauged or accounted for under the collective bargaining agreement, become a part of a negotiated trade?

It remains unclear whether Rivers and Celtics boss Danny Ainge have come to an understanding about a mutual parting of the ways. Reports out of Boston had them meeting Wednesday evening and possibly today to discuss the future of the franchise and the rebuilding process that could be on the horizon and what role Rivers would play, if any, in that reboot.

Meanwhile, the Clippers have kept their coaching search going (reportedly narrowing things down to Pacers assistant Brian Shaw and former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins in recent days) through all of the rumors about Rivers joining them to coach not only Garnett but prized free agent Chris Paul.

Where this drama goes next is anyone’s guess. But the Commissioner has made it clear to all involved that the rumored deal, in whatever form it’s in right now, will not pass league muster.

LAL should trade pau and nash for pierce and kg so they could sign Dwight and (CP3 or jennings) this will not only effect next year but only for the future years and they’ll become a championship contender again

I think CP3 and DH12 should go to LA just like what kobe said bec if they both go to LA it will be like Magic Johnson , James Worthy and Kareem Abdul Jabar (LA’s old big 3) only this time it will be CP3 ,DH12 and Kobe w/c will be good bec it will lead to another LA title (i’m okay w/ D’Antoni he’s doing good)

Well since Lakers get that time Warner money (part of it if i read it right) truthfully they can go out and sign a big name player. there may be a few tweaks they would have to do but it’s possible thanks to time Warner and the 5 billion.

As a C’s fan, I am beginning to wonder what Danny Ainge can get away with next. Kicking the tires of any proposed deal in the name of business is one thing, testing the loyalty of key players and fans over and over again is another. Entering into a process that by itself destroys the option of keeping things as they were, and is not in keeping with the CBA – I really can’t see how that helps.

Yes. Chris Paul’s best fit (if he leaves LA) would be to join the Thunder. It’s very doable. The Thunder sell out (as far as I know) all their homes games, season and playoffs. Thus, they should be able to afford to pay a few measley taxes.

The Lakers’ payroll this season was dangerously close to the REAL CAP LIMIT $100 Million. If they re-sign Howard, they will likely be over 100 Million.

The Thunder payroll? UNDER 70 Million! The Thunder have around 20 – 40 million cap space (if they amnesty Ken Perkins) to be a major player in this Summer’s FA market.

C’mon, Thunder!! It’s more than worth it!! If they sign Chris Paul and someone like Igoudala, they’ll still have room to re-sign Kevin Martin. Thus, they will build a DREAM TEAM that will dominate the NBA for the next decade. They will win multiple NBA Championships and regular-season #1 seeds! They will rake in all sorts of extra revenues. They can without a doubt afford to invest in Chris Paul. If Paul wants to win the next 10 NBA Championships, he must be willing to accept slightly lesser pay. Totally worth it. Chris Paul starting at PG and Westbrook starting at SG. Thus, Russ will never get injured like that ever again.

if i were chris paul and howard i will go to the bobcats to make history! im sure jordan will give the draft picks and money for them. then kg can sign there too. that will be great! fantasy! hehehehehehehehe

Kobe, and Pau takes a pay cut along with D12. We amnesity Nash so he can retire. Then sign CP3 with a paycut, and the Lakers can’t be touched.

It can happen because it’s the Lakers. Same with the Yankees.

Or trade Gasol, and Nash for Griffin then sign Cp3 in offseason. Re-sign D12 then you have a mega team all over again. Before you say how can they with Griffin on their team. Because you don’t think Kobe won’t take a paycut to have these guys on his team? I know D12 and CP3 will take a paycut no matter where if they get a chance to play together. Wade, Bosh, and Lebron did in MIA. Melo, Amare, and Chandler did in NY. Same with KG, Pierce, and Allen.

In 2007 Miami received compensation from Orlando (39th pick) for releasing Stan Van Gundy. So Clippers can give Celtic draft choice (1 or 2) for releasing Doc Rivers now and trade Garnett for Jordan in October.

Do some of you guys read before you write comments? Stern said that a coach’s contract can not be a part of a trade deal? So why are u talking about the KG and Allen trade, and why are u talking about the Lebron and Bosh trade? Goodness, they are not coaches. READ FIRST. or go back to school

The teams need to get a third team involved. One scenario would to be let Doc go and then sign Pierce and trade him with KG to a contending team that needs veteran leadership. They can probably get more for them from another team than what they could have got from the Clippers.

Chris Paul now opts out of contract joins Celtics instead to play with them and Doc Rivers. What can Stern do? Hmmm……What does he care? Celtics breathe new life, Clippers get cut, Miami gets a new challenge, Lakers get motivated. Sterns pays refs to rig another Celtics vs Lakers media sensation and makes BANK!!!!!!!

Mr; Stern; Quit controling the league to get the marketing of franchises you want. You allowed the idiotic trade to the Celtics in 2008,. You always have what is right for the game in mine right? Well leave the referees alone( We know that more than Donahey were involved for years!). Everytime you have in mine your stars to sell mercxhandise, that’s the team that will be ok’d to be loaded. The NBA has become the WWF.

So my guess now is that Doc will either work somewhere else in management for Boston or start behind a microphone again. Most likely behind a microphone. Pierce will be traded at draft for picks or to move up the draft, the better option would be for a pick next year when the draft is stacked. While KG will be going to Cali just to his house to retire. The biggest thing for Boston is how their new main scorer Green handles being a main man.

If they did, people would be sending superstars to one mega team for example…the lakers or heat or whatever. You cant deny that thousands of people did this in NBA 2k games. Creating a super team is somewhat pleasing to the ears. So…. dont you think you’re comment is stupid now?

David Stern needs to retire. So the Clippers wont bring any viewers or money into your pocket . thats no reason to interfere. Stern wants Miami to win so he can sell Lebron jerseys and get his pension money with royalties.

rivers can’t just quit and join somewhere else. if he resigns, that means that he can’t join any teams until three years later, when his current contract ends.

but yes, theoretically celtics can fire him and he can then join somewhere else. but that’s pretty much impossible, because then celtics will still have to pay him the 21 million left on his contract, and at the same time pay another coach.

now every Celtic fan knows that they’re not going to win titles for a long time. I say KG, n Doc Rivers, join LAC, if that happens LAL would have to think of a masterpiece, for 2013-14 new upcoming season. The clippers are rising if they keep their squat, however; an experience coach with titles as a coach not as a player, CP3 and the Clippers would at least win, a back to back series.

Unlikely, the Lakers will barely be able to afford Howard, there’s no way they could afford Howard, Paul, Pau, and Kobe. The Lakers would have to get rid of Gasol, Nash, and sign Howard to a non-max contract to be able to afford to get Paul. And Howard has no loyalties to the Lakers, so if he isn’t offered that max contract, he’ll have absolutely no reason to stay on a team that did worse then his Magic team did in the previous seasons.